The government alternative I would support would be consumer driven competition.  In this program the government would be involved to help ensure there are enough providers competing (McLaughlin & McLaughlin, 2015).  In addition, the government would ensure mobility within the market and that both sides, buyers and sellers, would have maximum access to price and quality information. One of the interventions seen in consumer driven competition would be to mandate individual coverage.  This type of plan is often described as an insurance policy with a high deductible and may or may not include a health savings account (HSA) (Hilsenrath, Eakin, & Fischer, 2015).  There are a few considerations for this type of program.  One is the fact that it is important that young people pay into the system for sustainability of the program.  A second consideration is that if people cannot pay the premiums, cost sharing may have to occur (McLaughlin & McLaughlin, 2015).  According to Hilsenrath, Eakin, and Fischer (2015), consumer driven plans are steadily growing and have been credited in slowing down national health care expenses. The free market approach is more aligned to my values and a belief personally as it takes the government out of the equation.  In this type of program, patients have data showing cost and effectiveness of the program so that health care decisions can be made.  When transparency of data is available to the public, hospitals will be focused more on improving patient safety initiatives as their quality scores will be available for all to see (Williamsen, 2017).  One example of a free market alternative is Samaritan Ministries.  This program is based on biblical principles and members receive financial support for their healthcare needs.  They also receive emotional and spiritual support.  The goal of the organization is to share each other’s burdens.  The Bible says “bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ” Gal 6:2 (English Standard Version). In addition to the financial, emotional, and spiritual support, since Samaritan Ministries is non-insurance through healthcare sharing, all members have exemption from the federal requirement that they must have insurance or pay a penalty (www.samaritanministries.org).  This type of free market alternative allows patients to shop for their medical care and better manage where their money is being spent.  Testa and Block (2013) state that “the most ethically and economically sound solution to our problems will come from the free market” (p. 111).  I agree with them.  Samaritan Ministries, being Christian based, would be an excellent free market alternative health care plan.  References Hilsenrath, P., Eakin, C., & Fischer, K. (2015). Price-Transparency and cost accounting: Challenges for health care organizations in the consumer-driven era. The Journal of Health care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1177/0046958015574981 McLaughlin, C. P., & McL ...

1. The government alternative I would support would be consumer
driven competition. In this program the government would be
involved to help ensure there are enough providers competing
(McLaughlin & McLaughlin, 2015). In addition, the
government would ensure mobility within the market and that
both sides, buyers and sellers, would have maximum access to
price and quality information.
One of the interventions seen in consumer driven competition
would be to mandate individual coverage. This type of plan is
often described as an insurance policy with a high deductible
and may or may not include a health savings account (HSA)
(Hilsenrath, Eakin, & Fischer, 2015). There are a few
considerations for this type of program. One is the fact that it
is important that young people pay into the system for
sustainability of the program. A second consideration is that if
people cannot pay the premiums, cost sharing may have to occur
(McLaughlin & McLaughlin, 2015). According to Hilsenrath,
Eakin, and Fischer (2015), consumer driven plans are steadily
growing and have been credited in slowing down national health
care expenses.
The free market approach is more aligned to my values and a
belief personally as it takes the government out of the equation.
In this type of program, patients have data showing cost and
effectiveness of the program so that health care decisions can be
made. When transparency of data is available to the public,
hospitals will be focused more on improving patient safety
initiatives as their quality scores will be available for all to see
(Williamsen, 2017). One example of a free market alternative
is Samaritan Ministries. This program is based on biblical
principles and members receive financial support for their
healthcare needs. They also receive emotional and spiritual
support. The goal of the organization is to share each other’s
burdens. The Bible says “bear one another’s burdens and so
fulfill the law of Christ” Gal 6:2 (English Standard Version).

2. In addition to the financial, emotional, and spiritual support,
since Samaritan Ministries is non-insurance through healthcare
sharing, all members have exemption from the federal
requirement that they must have insurance or pay a penalty
(www.samaritanministries.org). This type of free market
alternative allows patients to shop for their medical care and
better manage where their money is being spent. Testa and
Block (2013) state that “the most ethically and economically
sound solution to our problems will come from the free market”
(p. 111). I agree with them. Samaritan Ministries, being
Christian based, would be an excellent free market alternative
health care plan.
References
Hilsenrath, P., Eakin, C., & Fischer, K. (2015). Price-
Transparency and cost accounting: Challenges for health care
organizations in the consumer-driven era. The Journal of Health
care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 1-5.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0046958015574981
McLaughlin, C. P., & McLaughlin, C. D. (2015). Health policy
analysis (2nd ed.). [VitalSource Bookshelf]. Retrieved from
Testa, P., & Block, W. E. (2013). Applying the free market
philosophy to healthcare. Humanomics, 29, 105-114.
https://doi.org/10.1108/08288661311319175
Williamsen, K. (2017). Free market healthcare reform.
Retrieved from
https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/health-
care/item/25568-free-market-healthcare-reform
Liberty University
The one government alternative that I select to have
the greatest viability is the captive payer system and the use of
expanded / reduced eligibility / benefits. First, the captive (or
single payer) system does not refer to a unitary type of payer
for the entire healthcare offered. One of the most common

3. example of a captive payer system is Medicare. Medicare is the
only government payer for the elderly and or some qualified
disabled individuals. Though there are other opportunities for
qualifying individuals to also receive other insurance benefits
Medicare is the only government issued coverage to this
particular population (McLaughlin & McLaughlin, 2015). This
example allows transparency that expansion on benefits would
be useful to this particular population.
One free market alternative that I would select as most
successful is the modification of medical practice constraints.
The modification of medical practice constraints could allow for
a vast reduction in costs over time especially as new legislation
allows for expansion in roles such as those of a mid-level
provider such as a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistants
(McLaughlin & McLaughlin, 2015). These roles are imperative
to a successful practice as it allows serving clients in a timely
and thorough manner. One study research found “employment of
an NP or a PA in the hospital care setting has been shown to
provide patient benefits, including reduced length of stay, lower
medication use and costs, and improved communication among
providers” (Mackey, Boyle, Walo, Castro, Cheng, & Cook,
2014, p112-119). Without such providers physicians would not
be able to maintain their practice as they wish. Allowing
expansion of mid-level practice can take stress off of the
primary provider and fills a void that would certainly remain
without them.
Regardless of which government or free market
alternative one selected it is important to understand that some
form of regulation is warranted in order to be successful.
Although rules and policies are not always favorited by
individuals, one thing I have learned in my years as a registered
nurse is that working for a company with policies adhered to
was much more successful than ones where policies were not
enforced. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or
the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill
them” (Matthew 5:17, ESV).

4. Reference
Mackey, Patricia A,R.N., C.N.P., Boyle, Mary E,R.N., C.N.P.,
Walo, Patricia M,R.N., C.N.P., Castro, J. C., B.S., Cheng, M.,
M.S.P.H., & Cook, C. B., M.D. (2014). CARE DIRECTED BY
A SPECIALTY-TRAINED NURSE PRACTIONER OR
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT CAN OVERCOME CLINICAL
INERTIA IN MANAGEMENT OF INPATIENT DIABETES.
Endocrine Practice, 20(2), 112-119. Retrieved
from http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?url=https://search-
proquest-
com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/docview/1545884566?accountid=12085
McLaughlin, C. P., & McLaughlin, C. D. (2015). Health policy
analysis: An interdisciplinary approach (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA:
Jones and Bartlett. ISBN: 9781284037777
HLTH 556 Discussion Board Rubric
Criteria
Levels of Achievement
Content 70%
Advanced 92-100% (A)
Proficient 84-91% (B)
Developing 1-83% (< C)
Not present
Demonstrates content mastery and a well-rounded understanding
of the issue.
18 points
18- 16.5 points
All posts display clear content mastery, and relate precisely to
the assigned topic.
16.49- 15.0 points
All posts are related to the assigned topic, but do not provide
evidence of subject mastery.
14-1 points
Posts are loosely related to the assigned topic, and do not

5. effectively contribute to the development of the discussion.
0 points
Does not provide evidence of subject mastery.
Articulates a clear position on the topic with academic support.
18 points
18- 16.5 points
Posts are balanced in their approach to the topic, but provide
evidence of a clear, well-researched position on the topic.
16.49- 15.0 points
Posts are mostly balanced, but do not provide evidence of a firm
position derived from research or current literature.
14-1 points
Posts show a clear bias, or do not provide a discernable position
on the issue. Evidence of research is not present.
0 points
Does not display evidence of individual thought or topical
research.
Contributes to the overall discussion through relevant,
substantive posts.
17points
17-15.5 points
Unique contributions are made to the discussion in both the
original thread and two responses.
15-14 points
Contributions are made through an initial thread and two
responses, but are definitional in nature.
13-1 points
Contributions made are minimal, and are derivative in nature.
0 points
Contributions to the discussion are nominal.
Structure 30%
Advanced 92-100% (A)
Proficient 84-91% (B)
Developing 1-83% (< C)
Not present

6. Grammar and
Spelling
8 points
8-7.4 points
Correct spelling and grammar used throughout essay. Posts
contain fewer than 2 errors in grammar or spelling that distract
the reader from the content.
7.3 – 6.7 points
Posts contain fewer than 5 errors in grammar or spelling that
distract the reader from the content.
6.6-1 points
Posts contain fewer than 8 errors in grammar or spelling that
distract the reader from the content.
0 points
Posts contain greater than 8 errors in grammar or spelling that
distract the reader from the content.
APA Format
Compliance
8 points
8-7.4 points
Minimal errors (1-2) noted in the interpretation or execution of
proper APA format.
7.3 – 6.7 points
Few errors (3-4) noted in the interpretation or execution of
proper APA format.
6.6-1 points
Numerous errors (5+) noted in the interpretation or execution of
proper APA format.
0 points
Notable absences in required APA formatting.
Assignment
Requirements
6 points

7. 6 points
Minimum word count of 400 words for the initial thread and
200 words for each response is met or exceeded. Initial post
includes one unique, relevant scholarly reference
5 points
Minimum word count for each post is within 10% of the
requirement. References to outside sources are included, but do
not provide unique insight to the overall discussion.
4-1 points
Minimum word count for each post is within 20% of the
requirement. Sources referenced are not scholarly or relevant.
0 points
Word count for each post is not within 20% of the requirement.
No outside references are provided.